Carolyn Hax: No need to elaborate to coworkers about medical leave

9:51 PM,
Jan. 6, 2014

Written by

Carolyn Hax

Dear Carolyn: I'm a young professional with a decent office job. I generally like my coworkers. At work, I am cheerful and friendly and, at least to the eye, a picture of perfect health.

But I'm also a recovering rape survivor who is battling an increasingly debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder. Recently, things have gone downhill, and I find myself at least once a day crying in the bathroom like a bad '80s prom night.

I am working with a therapist, doctor, etc., but things have become so overwhelming that I've decided I need to take a leave of absence from work to focus more intensely on my ...